Chevy's 2015 Stingray delivers more 'sting'

By Jeff Yip Autos Correspondent |
June 6, 2014

With its blazing "Transformers" paint scheme, there was no chance of missing Chevrolet's hot new 2015 Z06 Corvette at the wintry Chicago Auto Show. The Z06 has plenty of ducting for cooling and aerodynamic downforce.

The Z06 will have color schemes that emphasize the driver-focused cockpit and a special flat-bottomed steering wheel. This is the convertible.

Picture-perfect performance? The 2015 Corvette's available Performance Data Recorder will be able to log data, record 720p video, track course position and analyze track performance. The system, developed with Cosworth, will go on sale in the fall.

Photo By GM

A yellow and black 'Vette at track, from the rear.

Early Stingray adopters, eat your hearts out.

When the all-new Corvette Z06 arrives in a few months, it will pack a whole lot more sting: 650 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. of torque.

Of course, legends can have real power and respect. With its athleticism, flared fenders and aggressive stance, Z06 Corvettes, bought new or used, have earned a place in enthusiasts' hearts and garages.

The model's designation can be traced to 1963 when "Z06" was the option code for a larger 36-gallon fuel tank Corvettes could use in road racing. Z06-equipped Stingrays are rare and highly prized today. A half century later, the seventh-generation Z06 retains ties to motorsports, and the Corvette team has come up with new mash-ups of technology and Corvette tradition.

For example, for the first time the Z06 will have a factory-installed supercharger. The compact Eaton supercharger not only spools up quicker and revs higher for more boost, it plays nicely with the 6.2-liter V8's cylinder deactivation. (Running on four cylinders under light load is a big factor behind the Corvette's ability to nail 28 mpg highway ratings.)

Another major departure from previous Z06s: drivers will be able to enjoy the wind in their hair, thanks to a removable carbon-fiber roof panel and the Corvette's beefed up aluminum frame. Chevrolet reports the panel's weight savings helps lower the center of gravity.

Those who follow auto racing know aerodynamic downforce is a deadly serious business. That consumers will be able to choose one of three aerodynamic setups should tell you the Z06 can skew pretty darn close to a race car - or pull duty as an Indy 500 pace car.

If you stick with a standard Z06, you'll get spats for the front wheel wells, a front splitter, carbon-fiber hood with larger vent, and the rear spoiler that's also used on the Stingray's optional Z51 performance package.

A step up is a carbon-fiber aero package consisting of a carbon-fiber front splitter with airplane-style winglets, carbon-fiber rocker panels, and a larger rear spoiler that has a small, vertical tab at the edge of the spoiler that significantly increases downforce. The package is available in black or a visible carbon-fiber finish.

Hardcore enthusiasts - or those out to make the maximum visual statement - will want to check the Z07 box. In addition to Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 run-flat tires, the Z07 option throws in bigger brakes, larger winglets for the front splitter and an adjustable, transparent center section on the rear spoiler for track use.

The 2015 Z06 will pioneer the arrival of data logging and vehicle telemetry for consumers. It's all about Corvette's new PDR (yes, three more letters, courtesy of Chevyland, for us to remember).

The new Performance Data Recorder option can log video of your drives, show track layouts, record performance data in real time, capture audio and display stats. There's an onboard, windshield-mounted high-definition video camera and a processor that analyzes and displays data, video, and works with the vehicle's sensors and GPS.

"The Corvette Z06 is a great example of the technology transfer between racing and production Corvettes," said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer. "First, we took what we learned on the Corvette Racing C6.R and applied that to the all-new Corvette Stingray. Then, using the Stingray as a foundation, the Z06 and C7.R were developed to push the envelope of performance on the street and the track."

Chevrolet hasn't released prices on the newest Z06 or its major options. But even if you're not interested in performance or sports cars, there's one more innovation you should be aware of, especially if you own a GM pickup or SUV.

The 2015 Corvette Z06 will come with either a 7-speed manual gearbox or General Motors' new 8-speed automatic transmission that features full automatic or manual gear changing via paddle shifters. This is the same basic automatic that will be in GM's full-size trucks, so if they hold up under Corvette-style driving and Z06 torque levels, it should bode well for trucks of the trade.